CHILDREN from a Mansfield primary school were given a special behind the scenes tour of a new housing development thanks to an East Midlands housing provider.

Derwent Living has been working on the Booth Crescent site, which is located next to Crescent Primary School, since the summer and gave 24 pupils and their teachers the chance to take a look around to find out more about the development and what happens on a building site.

Andy Kirkland, project manager at Derwent Living, said: “The site we are working on is right next to the primary school, so a lot of the children that visited us were very curious about what we’ve been doing here.

“We were pleased to welcome them onto the site and let them have a look around one of the properties that is nearing completion, as well as giving them the chance to learn a bit more about what we do.

“As well as taking a look at the construction work, they were also able to have a go in one of our diggers – that was definitely the highlight for the children!”

The 24 children, aged between four and 11, are class ambassadors at Crescent Primary School and head Vic Wilkinson said they enjoyed their visit.

He said: “Before visiting the site, the children were all excited about being able to have a look around and learn about what is going on next door to the school. The team at Derwent Living taught them a great deal about what they are working on and how to be safe on building sites.

“We would like to thank the Derwent Living team for giving the children the opportunity to take a look around.”

The scheme, which will deliver a mixture of two and three-bedroom homes, is set for completion in February 2016. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) supported the scheme with grant funding and it is also supported by Mansfield District Council.

Pictured are Derwent Living project manager Andrew Kirkland, site manager Richard Breslin and teach Alison Murfitt with children from Crescent Primary School.